(19)

(11)

EP 1 395 862 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 03.04.2003 (43) Date of publication: 10.03.2004 Bulletin 2004/11 (21) Application number: 02739340.4 (22) Date of filing: 21.05.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/26 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/016245 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/103404 (27.12.2002 Gazette 2002/52)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 15.06.2001 US 298841 P 29.01.2002 US 352735 P (71) Applicant: Corning Incorporated Corning,New York 14831-0001 (US)	(72) Inventors: UKRAINCZYK, Ljerka Painted Post, NY 14870 (US) VASTAG, Debra, L. Elmira Heights, NY 14903 (US) (74) Representative: Poole, Michael John  Corning Communications Ltd.,Patent and Licensing Dpt.,Quantum House,Maylands Avenue Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7DE Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP2 7DE (GB)